In addition to horrible anxiety, I have a crumbling spine. I live with daily discomfort, lack of sleep, pain medication fog, and chronic fatigue. In the past 16 months, I have had fusions at C5-T1 and L4-L5. I have arthritis and spondylolisthesis throughout. 

My point in sharing my condition is that there is a lot that we, chronic pain sufferers and invisibly disabled, go through. Getting out of bed is challenging most days, and when we do, it is difficult to gauge how much we can do before causing an increase in pain. 

I am a mom and a wife. I can't go hiking or engage in many physical things my kids want to do, so I have had to adjust. I am home now, and I am able to be more present for my children. I can give them the attention that I could not afford as a working mom. This has been a blessing that outweighs the loss of autonomy. 

I was a teacher. As I went through surgery and recovery, I realized I could no longer work in a career that put a lot of demand on my body, and I resigned from my position. I have tried to come up with ways to supplement my income, and I hope to be able to work part-time in the future. I started volunteering to give myself an outlet and a way to be of service that provides me with some flexibility and not the same demands of a job. I recommend finding something you can do to help someone else. It takes you out of your own mind and body and gives you  something to focus on other than the pain. 

Things may get worse and worse again. We have to follow the current  and find ways to make it the best ride we can possibly have.